Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Humble Hero’s

Text: Philippians 2:1-30

Introduction:

I’m going to speak this morning of perhaps the most
neglected and forgotten of all Christian virtues, the virtue of humility and I
do believe that that quality is something that has made your pastor successful
not just in the eyes of you his church but in the eyes of the one who matters
most of all, the eyes of Jesus Christ. In preaching on this subject it is not because
I feel I have mastered this or any other Christian virtue.In fact too many times I am like the pastor
who stepped into his pulpit beamed at the congregation and announced, "My
sermon today is on humility, and in my opinion, it's one of the finest pieces
ever written." -- Cartoonist Johns in Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 1. No, I
speak on humility today because I believe that this virtue truly is one of the
most important but neglected reasons for a church being what Christ wants and
one of the most important reason a church and a pastor can serve together for
decades and be such a blessing to each other.

I.Philippi, Humble Church Philippians 1:1-4

1
If there be
therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship
of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others.

A.Vs. 1-2 Humility is Possible by Christ’s Love and Grace

1.Notice the Four “ifs”

a)If there be therefore any consolation in
Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies (deep seated affection and love)

b)These are first class conditions in Greek, which means
we would understand or translate them as since or because there is. Paul is
stating a cause and effect argument for the people of the Philippian church.
Because there is consolation in Christ, because there is comfort in love,
because there is fellowship in the Spirit because there is deep seated
affection and love then they should be united as a church and as the people of
God.

c)Their unity was based upon what Christ has done for
them. Those actions of Christ being a part of all of their shared experience
unites them.

2.1st
precept of Christian humility: True
humility is not looking down on yourself but looking up to God. This is the
understanding what allows humility to begin.

3.Vs. 3-4 Next Paul says that because of this truth then,
nothing should be done because of selfish ambition or conceit. But instead let
each esteem others better. Look to the interest and well being of others before
ourselves.

4.2nd
Precept of Christian Humility: We must value our brothers and sisters in
the church because we are all products of God’s grace.

5.Verse 3 and 4 gives us the 3rd Precept of Christian Humility. Humility is seen in
esteeming others better than ourselves”

B.Transitions Paul now names 4 heroes to illustrate the
power of humility. Jesus, Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus

II.Jesus, Humble King Philippians 2:4-11

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A.Paul points to Jesus as the great example and honor for
humility

1.Let this mind be in you.

2.Vs. 6 Jesus was equal with God

3.Vs. 7 But he made himself of no reputation, (The Greek
word used here is kenosis and it means emptied.) Jesus emptied Himself of His
glory, His power, His honor even His omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence,
laid them aside for a time while on earth or until needed during his earthly ministry.

4.Vs. 7 Not only did He empty Himself but he also became
a servant of God the Father.

5.Vs. 8 He became a man then even humbled himself even
further to the point of death upon the cross.

6.Vs. 9-10 Now because of his kenosis and because he
humbled himself even to the point of death, God has raised Him up in glory and
power and honor. So that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess
Jesus Christ as Lord!

B.4th Precept of Humility

1.God’s greatest
honor goes to those who take on the mind of Christ and humble themselves in
service and sacrifice.

2.Our motivation for all that we do must always be the
example of Jesus Christ in his great humility dying for us. One of the criteria
for our reward one day will be based on our service to others.

3.1 Corinthians 15: 9-10 For I am the least of the
apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God. But by the grace of God I
am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but
I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which
was with me.

4.Quotes: Humility is the exhibition of the spirit of
Jesus Christ and is the touchstone of saintliness. - Oswald Chambers
(1874-1917)

C.Illustration: The gift of Christ to us should make us
humble

1.The land
of Persia was once ruled
by a wise and beloved Shah who cared greatly for his people and desired only
what was best for them. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to
visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the
cellar, so the Shah made his way to the dark place to sit with the man who
tended the fire. The two men shared the coarse food, and the Shah befriended
him in his loneliness. Day after day the ruler went to visit the man. The
worker became attached to this stranger because he "came where he
was". One day the Shah revealed his true identity, and he expected the man
to ask him for a gift. Instead, he looked long into his leader's face and with
love and wonder in his voice said, "You left your palace and your glory to
sit with me in this dark place, to eat my coarse food, and to care about what
happens to me. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you have given
yourself!"

III.Paul, Humble Leader
Philippians
2:12-18

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not
as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling. 13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless
and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth
the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run
in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I
joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For
the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

A.Paul exhorts the Church in service and then uses
himself as an example

1.How a humble church serves

a)Work out your own salvation, put into practice in daily
living, what God had worked in them by His Spirit. - The Bible Knowledge
Commentary.

b)Do all without murmurings and disputings. All that you
do, do it without complaining or arguing.

c)Hold forth the word of life, hold out to the world the word
of God.

2.Paul says in this he will rejoice and be willing to be poured
out like a drink offering

a)The drink offering accompanied the other
offerings. It was a voluntary offering
and it was entirely used, none was held back

b)Vs. 17-18 This sacrifice was on the service and
sacrifice of their faith.

c)Paul was the extra offering, offered when they served
God through faith. His own service was
enhanced, extended when they “worked out” their own salvation and served in the
humble example of Christ.

1.Sacrifice is a word a power-hungry church just doesn't
understand. A church that cares about power-the power of a large membership,
power in the world, political power, television power or persuasive opinion
power-doesn't know the principle of sacrifice.
[Far too many Christians] have neglected and even repudiated the example
of Jesus Christ, who eschewed coercion in favor of quiet persuasion and whose
method of acting was his willingness to die for those who would not die ...
[When Christianity seeks to] arrogate power to enforce its righteous principles
upon the whole world, it is in no way dying. This is in no way sacrifice. --
Walter Wangerin, Jr., quoted by Bruce Buursma in the Chicago Tribune (Aug. 8,
1986). Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no.
17.

C.Illustration:

1.The famous black scientist Booker T. Washington arrived
in a city to make a speech. His train was late and he was in a hurry. He dashed
out of the station to the cabstand, but the cabby growled, "I don't drive
niggers." Washington said, "All right, that’s fine. I'll drive you.
Get in the back."

IV.Timothy, Humble Helper Philippians 2:19-24

19 But I trust
in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of
good comfort, when I know your state. 20
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the
things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But
ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with
me in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I
hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself
shall come shortly.

A.Timothy served the church with the heart of Paul and
Christ.

1.Timothy had the same mind as Paul, just he had the same
mind of Christ. Paul states without hesitation that Timothy would sincerely
care for the church’s condition better than anyone else he could send.

2.Timothy cared so much for the church under his care
that he may have not cared for himself as much as he should have.

3.1 Timothy 5:22-23 Timothy was at Ephesus. “keep thyself
pure. Drink no longer water, but use a
little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

a)Paul wrote him and said, “Keep pure but use a little
wine for your health”

b)Timothy may have had ulcers or made himself sick due to
his care and concern for the church.

c)Now that kind of illness probably is something that
your pastor and any true servant of the Lord can relate to. Sometimes the cares
of the church will not let you sleep at night, or will wake you from a sound
sleep or make you physically ill.

d)As much as we talk about and believe in “casting all
our cares upon him” there is a part of being a pastor that means suffering
because you love your people.

B.6th Precept, Humility is shown is caring for
others no matter the cost.

V.Epaphroditus, Humble Soldier Philippians 2:25-30

25Yet
I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion
in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my
wants. 26 For he longed after you all,
and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto
death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I
should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I
sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may
rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all
gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his
life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

A.Epaphroditus was a messenger and worker sent from
Philippi

1.He probably brought an offering to Paul to help with
the work and then stayed to offer himself in the work.

2.Epaphroditus served to the point of exhaustion, to the
point of serious illness.

a)Vs. 30 Not regarding his own life, literally means,
“being reckless with his own life.”

b)It comes from the Greek word, Parobulos, which means
venturesome or reckless.

3.Example: In Alexandria, Egypt there was a group of
Christian men were known as the Parobani. Taking on the character of
Epaphroditus. They were a type of spiritual “suicide squad.” One of their duties was to minister to the
victims of plague and epidemics.

B.7th precept Humility takes the risk

C.After we have read Colossians 2

1.We should have a much greater understanding and respect
for what it means to be a “humble servant of the Lord.”

2.We should also understand what it is to be a humble
church serving along a humble pastor both with the heart of Christ. We should
all strive to be the Timothys and Epaphroses in today’s world of pride and
power.

3.What then is
humility. It certainly does not mean weakness or fear. It actually calls
for boldness, risk, and sacrifice even to the point death if necessary.

4.Nor does it mean an attitude about myself as much as it
means action on behalf of others inspired by what Christ has done for me.

5.Humility Summary: My worthless life purchased by
his priceless death should drive me to limitless service.

VI.Conclusion:

A.Quote:

1.I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one
above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character the more
easily we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath
the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping
lower. - F. B. Meyer (1847-1929)

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Communications:
Prayer

Taught
by the Teacher Luke 11:1-4

Luke11:1. And it came to pass, that, as he was
praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him,
Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Have
you ever placed yourself among the disciples that asked this question?What an opportunity, to ask Jesus the best
way to pray!If anyone would know how to
reach the Father it would be the only begotten son, Jesus Christ.

We were
not there in person to ask the Master to teach us to pray but thanks to the
Holy Spirit's work through Luke and the other gospel writers we can still learn
the same lessons about prayer Jesus taught his first disciples.And there is nothing lost in the
translation, either, God's word is as pure and right in the Bible you hold as
it was in the ears of those who listened to Him almost 2000 years ago.

So, are
you willing to learn from Jesus Himself?Are you willing to listen with an open mind and open heart as the Holy
Spirit reshapes our conceptions of prayer and deepens the relationship between
God and his people through prayer.

Platform for Prayer

Luke 11:2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3Give
us day by day our daily bread. 4And
forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Let's
begin by looking at the model for prayer that Jesus gave to his disciples.
Technically, this is not the Lord's prayer. He did not pray it to His Father.
The Lord's Prayer is really found in John 17,
when Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. This prayer is really a platform
or framework upon which we should build our own personal prayers.It is very simple in construction, as any
framework should be.It leaves room for
us to raise up our own places of prayer where can we meet with God.

Relation: To the Father from His
Child

Our
Father which art in heaven

Look at
the beginning of the prayer.What is the
first thing you notice, Who is the prayer to?The prayer is to Our Father in Heaven.Jesus used a child's word for father, equivalent to our
"daddy" it is the same word used in Romans
8:15 "Abba, Father".

What does this tell us about the relationship of those
who pray?

They must be children of God, they must be saved.It also tells us that in prayer we are to
understand God as our Father, a very personal, intimate relationship.

So, how do you think of God when you approach Him in
Prayer?

Do your prayers reflect an understanding of who God is
to you?Do they have warmth and intimacy
or do they sound somewhat distant or routine?

Would you talk to your earthly father in the same way
you pray to your Heavenly Father?

What are some ways in which my prayers should change
and deepen along with my understanding of God as my Father?

Adoration: Praise before
Petition

Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

The
next phrase brings us another portion of the platform upon which to build, yet
it is often the most undeveloped part of modern prayer.

Jesus
in his model prayer said, "Hallowed be Thy name."What does this mean?

The
word "Hallowed" is the verb form of the word holy.In the case of the model prayer is an
acknowledgment of the holiness, the sanctity of God's name and thereby God
Himself.The phrase in this abbreviated
model is a place for worship and praise to the One we are praying to.

In our
own house of prayer this room is often absent or very empty.We are so eager or programmed to ask things from God in prayer that we neglect time
spent with God in prayer.To praise God during our prayer is to honor
Him, commune with Him, and render to Him what is due as the Creator of the
Universe and the only one who can intervene in time and space to help us.

Let's look at some examples of prayers from the great
men of the Bible and mark how their prayers are filled with praise and worship.

David - Psalms86:1.

Daniel - Daniel 9:3-7

Peter and the early church - Acts 4:23-31

Submission: to God's Rule and Will

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in
heaven, so in earth.

The
next part of the model prayer deals with submission.Jesus constructed it in two sections, God's
Kingdom and God's Will.

"Thy
kingdom come" had a very real and obvious meaning to the disciples of
Jesus. The prophets had promised a kingdom of God ruled by the Messiah. God's
kingdom was first and foremost that promised kingdom. It was not established
yet or Jesus would not have told them to pray for it to come. It was however;
on it's way and would someday be established over all the earth with Jesus
Christ as King. This petition would fill the Roman dominated Israelite with
hope as he endured the rule of another. For us this is a place of both petition
for a future reality and a present attitude.

When I
pray is there a place in my prayer for the return of Jesus to establish his
kingdom? Is there an attitude of hope that permeates my prayer because I look
for this to happen? Do I realize that no matter how difficult it may be now,
under the rule of Satan in this world, that someday Jesus will reign and all
will be right?

Next
Jesus told the disciples to pray, "Thy will be done, in earth as it is in
heaven." "In heaven" is the qualifying statement for describing
how God's will was to be done. In heaven, uncountable armies of angels carry
out God’s will instantaneously. Since angels aren't earthly creatures, who is
to do God's will here?

If I add this room to my
prayers, how will it change my prayers? How will it change my life?

Recognition: Of God's Power for
Daily Life

Give us day by day our daily bread.

The
next phrase asks God for daily bread.Certainly this includes our food which ultimately comes from God, but
within the framework of this model prayer it goes much further.

Bread
was the "staff of life."It
was the most important part of the Middle Eastern diet.Meat, fresh vegetables and fruit were
luxuries at most tables, but bread meant they would live another day.

"Daily
bread" to us then is that which is necessary to sustain our lives each
day.It means we stand upon the promises
of God to care for his children and provide for their needs.It does not presume upon tomorrow except to
believe that God will as always provide for us once we are there.

This
room is not a license to ask for the luxuries of life, it is an affirmation
of God's promise for the necessities of life.It is praying from faith not want. It is recognizing that it is
God who must supply life itself.It is the realization that but for God I would not draw another
breath or my heart go on one more beat.

Look at
the following verses in which God gave the first daily bread to his people of
the Exodus.

Exodus 16:15-20

Deuteronomy 8:3

What was the lesson of the manna to the Israelites?

What is the lesson of the manna to us? (Notice what
Moses said in Deut 8:3.)

Reconciliation: Repentance toward
God and Forgiveness of Others

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive
every one that is indebted to us.

Now
Jesus instructs that each prayer should have a place in which forgiveness is
asked from God and because of that forgiveness we also forgive those who have
sinned against us.

Very
few prayers omit asking for forgiveness but few include granting it.It should be noted that forgiveness is given
by God based upon what Jesus has done.No work or righteousness which we do can has redeeming merit from
God.Yet we must not ignore the fact
that these two acts of forgiveness are tied together.It should be impossible to us, who have been
forgiven all our sin through Jesus Christ, to be unable to forgive someone else
a hurt or an offense.

Read the following parable by Christ.

Matthew 18:23-35

What is the lesson to be
learned from this parable?

After I
have experience the new birth, forgiveness from God may be hindered if I cannot
forgive others.It is sinful to harbor
feelings of resentment and bitterness toward another when God willing forgave
me and made me his child.What offense
could be greater than my rebellion against God that caused His own Son to die
on the cross?

Humiliation: a Cry for
Deliverance

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us
from evil.

The
final phrase that the disciples were instructed to pray dealt with temptation
and deliverance from that temptation.The word temptation can mean both temptation to sin and a testing.Indeed a temptation to sin is a test of a
moral kind.Jesus is not however saying
that God tempts man to sin.Read James 1:13 James plain shows that God does not
tempt the way Satan tempts.

The model prayer expresses an
attitude; it began in petitioning God for His kingdom to come and proceeds with
our submission to his will.Now within
that submission to whatever God brings into our life, we turn to the One into
whose hand our entire being has been placed and ask Him to remember that we are
human and dependent upon Him.

“Lord, Keep us from
temptation for we are weak, and easily swayed.”This room in the prayer is one of humility that is entered from the
previous room of submission to God.

I
believe Paul is operating in this attitude when he wrote

1 Cor. 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

What is the way of escape?(Read John 14:6)

Please notice Jesus words in John 14:6 "Jesus saith
unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me." Temptation is not avoided by looking for another door or path
to take around it, it is overcome by The Way just as salvation was in Him so
all of our spiritual battles must be overcome through and only through Him.

Without
humility my prayer is a sham.I must
recognize that I am incapable of anything unless God intervenes to keep me from
evil.Humility is not weakness, it fact
true humility is the key to real strength.For God's strength is not given to the proud but only to the lowly.His strength is mine when I realize my own weakness.